Why do we have enlightened Masters who descend to this world life after life to save sentient beings? Even though all beings have the Buddha nature, we wouldn’t be able to become Buddhas without being given the key to enlightenment from a living Buddha. Thus, Buddhas have to come back life after life. However, sentient beings experience many obstacles during their lifetimes. They bear not only their own karma, but also that of their ancestors and the collective karma of their families, districts, and countries. This karma is so heavy that they are not able to go and look for a Buddha through their own effort. For this reason a Buddha has to give lectures in order to preach the Dharma.

If a Buddha did not possess a physical body, other beings would not be able to recognize him. Likewise, the Buddha would not be able to pass down the Dharma to other humans. The levels of humans are different from those of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, so heart-to-heart transmission is necessary. Once the mindset of humans changes over time and reaches the level of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, they can start to learn from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. When Buddhas and Boddhisattvas come to this world, they become ordinary people right at birth and have to take time to reach Buddhahood. Such a process is really painful for the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas. Indeed, they come down to help us out of their immense compassion.

Highlights

What is a Buddha? Are there Buddhas who descend to this world life after life to deliver sentient beings?

All beings have the Buddha nature, but why can't they recognize themselves as living Buddhas? What if we don't have the guidance of a living Master when practicing? Can we still find the path to go "up there"?

What are their differences in terms of power and work?

Is the Quan Yin Method the ultimate method? Why does Master say that any method is the Quan Yin method?

For spiritual enlightenment, do we need the Dharma lineage of a living enlightened Master? Listen to Master tell the story of Swami Vivekananda and his Master Ramakrishna.

Why isn't Buddha Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi? What is the difference between the work of a Buddha and that of God?

Why are humans called the "Small Universe", "little gods" or "children of God"? Why is it said that "Affliction is equivalent to Bodhi"?

Since humans are the children of God, why do we still need to practice? Is it true that we can become Buddhas only when we are alive in this world?

Why does the world need God? What is the difference between humans and God?